U.S. patent application number 14/244769 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for aquarium with adjustable lighting.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yorktown Technologies, L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is Yorktown Technologies, L.P.. Invention is credited to Alan Blake.
Application Number | 20140216351 14/244769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40136267 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140216351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blake; Alan |
August 7, 2014 |
AQUARIUM WITH ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING
Abstract
An aquarium having an adjustable lighting system for enhancing
the display of fluorescent objects, such as fluorescent fish,
contained within the aquarium under various external lighting
conditions, such as a dark room or a brightly lit room. The
aquarium comprises a tank and a plurality of light sources. Each
light source emits light at a different wavelength spectrum which
is selected to enhance the display of the fluorescent object under
each type of external lighting condition. An electronic control is
provided to control the operation of the plurality of light sources
such that each light source may be selectively turned on/off based
on the external lighting condition, or chronological criteria, to
provide the best viewing experience.
Inventors: |
Blake; Alan; (Austin,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yorktown Technologies, L.P. |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Yorktown Technologies, L.P.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
40136267 |
Appl. No.: |
14/244769 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11767562 |
Jun 25, 2007 |
8727554 |
|
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14244769 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/253 ;
119/259; 119/267 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 23/0464 20130101;
A01K 63/042 20130101; F21V 23/04 20130101; Y02A 40/81 20180101;
F21Y 2115/10 20160801; A01K 61/85 20170101; A01K 63/045 20130101;
A01K 63/06 20130101; F21Y 2113/13 20160801; A01K 63/006 20130101;
F21W 2131/308 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/253 ;
119/267; 119/259 |
International
Class: |
A01K 63/00 20060101
A01K063/00; A01K 61/02 20060101 A01K061/02; A01K 63/04 20060101
A01K063/04 |
Claims
1-32. (canceled)
33. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external
lighting condition, the term "fluorescent" as used herein means the
emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the
absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower
than the emission wavelength, the aquarium comprising: an aquatic
tank; a first light source configured to emit light at a first
wavelength spectrum having a first maximum peak emission wavelength
which enhances the display of a fluorescent fish within said tank
under a dark external lighting condition; a second light source
configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum having a
second maximum peak emission wavelength different from said first
maximum peak emission wavelength which enhances the display of the
fluorescent fish within said tank under a bright external lighting
condition; and at least one electronic control for controlling the
operation of said first and second light sources such that the
first and second light sources may be selectively turned
on/off.
34. The aquarium of claim 33, wherein said electronic control is
configured to automatically control said first and second light
sources based on said external lighting condition.
35. The aquarium of claim 33, wherein said electronic controller
further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external
lighting condition and said electronic control automatically
controls said first and second light sources based at least in part
on a reading from said light sensor.
36. The aquarium of claim 33, further comprising a third light
source configured to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum
having a maximum peak emission wavelength different from said first
and second maximum peak emission wavelengths which enhances the
display of the fluorescent fish within said tank under a moderate
external lighting condition, said third light source operably
coupled to said electronic control.
37. The aquarium of claim 33, wherein said first and second light
sources are each an array of LEDs.
38. The aquarium of claim 33, wherein said electronic controller is
configured for selectively turning on/off said first and second
light sources independently of the other.
39. The aquarium of claim 33, wherein said electronic controller is
set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including
both absolute time and relative time.
40. The aquarium of claim 33, further comprising a fluorescent
ornamental fish.
41. The aquarium of claim 1, further comprising one or more of
gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, or
food.
42. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent fish under an external
lighting condition, the term "fluorescent" as used herein means the
emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting from the
absorption of an excitation light at an excitation wavelength lower
than the emission wavelength, the aquarium comprising: an aquatic
tank; a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths, said
light sources configured to allow for certain of said plurality of
light sources to be activated for selection of a lighting
combination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 75% of a
maximum viewing ratio of a living, fluorescent fish under at least
two ambient lighting conditions, including a bright external
lighting condition and a dark external lighting condition; and at
least one electronic controller for controlling the operation of
said light sources such that the optimal lighting combination may
be selected.
43. The aquarium of claim 42, wherein said electronic control is
configured to automatically control said plurality of light sources
based on said external lighting condition.
44. The aquarium of claim 42, wherein said electronic controller
further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external
lighting condition and said electronic control automatically
controls said plurality of light sources based at least in part on
a reading from said light sensor.
45. The aquarium of claim 42, wherein each light source of said
plurality of light sources comprises an array of LEDs.
46. The aquarium of claim 42, wherein said electronic controller is
configured for selectively turning on/off each light source of said
plurality of light sources independently of the other light
sources.
47. The aquarium of claim 42, further comprising a transgenic,
fluorescent ornamental fish.
48. The aquarium of claim 42, further comprising one or more of
gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, or
food.
49. The aquarium of claim 42, wherein said electronic controller is
set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including
both absolute time and relative time.
50. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent object under an
external lighting condition, comprising: a tank; a first array of
LED lights configured to emit light having a maximum peak emission
wavelength in the ultra-violet range; a second array of LED lights
configured to emit light having a maximum peak emission wavelength
in the blue range; a third array of LED lights configured to emit
mostly white light; and at least one electronic control for
controlling the operation of said first, second and third arrays
such that said first, second and third arrays may be selectively
turned on/off.
51. The aquarium of claim 50, wherein said electronic control is
configured to automatically control said first, second, and third
arrays based on said external lighting condition.
52. The aquarium of claim 50, wherein said electronic controller
further comprises a light sensor for detecting said external
lighting condition and said electronic control automatically
controls said first, second and third arrays based at least in part
on a reading from said light sensor.
53. The aquarium of claim 50, wherein said electronic controller is
configured for selectively turning on/off said first, second and
third arrays independently of each other.
54. The aquarium of claim 50, further comprising a transgenic,
fluorescent ornamental fish.
55. The aquarium of claim 50, further comprising one or more of
gravel, water conditioner, plants, aeration system, filter, or
food.
56. The aquarium of claim 50, wherein said electronic controller is
set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including
both absolute time and relative time. cm 57. An aquarium kit
adapted to be assembled for displaying a fluorescent fish under an
external lighting condition, the term "fluorescent" as used herein
means the emission of light at an emission wavelength resulting
from the absorption of an excitation light at an excitation
wavelength lower than the emission wavelength, the aquarium kit
comprising: an aquatic tank; a plurality of light sources of
different wavelengths, said light sources configured to allow for
certain of said plurality of light sources to be activated for
selection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio
of at least 75% of a maximum viewing ratio of a living, fluorescent
fish under at least two ambient lighting conditions, including a
bright external lighting condition and a dark external lighting
condition; and at least one electronic controller for controlling
the operation of said light sources such that the optimal lighting
combination may be selected.
58. The aquarium kit of claim 57, wherein said electronic control
is configured to automatically control said plurality of light
sources based on said external lighting condition.
59. The aquarium kit of claim 57, wherein said electronic
controller further comprises a light sensor for detecting said
external lighting condition and said electronic control
automatically controls said plurality of light sources based at
least in part on a reading from said light sensor.
60. The aquarium kit of claim 57, wherein said plurality of light
sources are each an array of LEDs.
61. The aquarium kit of claim 57, wherein said electronic
controller is configured for selectively turning on/off said
plurality of light sources independently of the other.
62. The aquarium kit of claim 57, wherein said fluorescent object
is a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish, and said aquarium kit
further comprises a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish.
63. The aquarium kit of claim 57, further comprising one or more of
gravel, water conditioner, plants, aeration system, filter, or
food.
64. The aquarium of claim 57, wherein said electronic controller is
set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including
both absolute time and relative time.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/767,562, filed Jun. 25, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, issued
______, 2014. The contents of the aforementioned patent application
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Priority to the aforementioned application is hereby expressly
claimed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 and any other
applicable statutes or laws.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to aquariums and
more particularly to aquariums having adjustable lighting systems,
for example, for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such
as fluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Aquariums are typically comprised of a tank which can be
filled with water, a system for maintaining the condition of the
water (e.g. filter, aeration pump, heater), and ornamental features
such as plants, gravel, rocks and curios. The tank may be of any
shape such as rectangular tanks or round bowls, and the sides of
the tank are typically transparent. The aquarium may also be
provided with a lighting system.
[0004] Various fish tank lighting systems have been previously
shown and described. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,836,765 and
5,089,940 describe lighting systems comprising a cover and a
lighting fixture housed in the cover. The cover is configured to
rest on the top of an aquarium tank.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,613, by Gong et al. (which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), discloses many
different types of transgenic fluorescent fish and various methods
of producing such fish. For instance, zebra fish transfected with
green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes isolated from a jelly fish
(Aqueoria Victoria) are described in detail. In addition, numerous
modified mutants of GFP are disclosed, for example, various colors
and mammalian optimized mutants are described. Fluorescence is the
emission of light resulting from the absorption of excitation
light. For example, GFP has a maximum excitation at a wavelength of
395 nm and emits green fluorescence at a wavelength (maximum) of
508 nm. The transgenic ornamental fish described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,135,613 (which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety) are genetically engineered by introducing genes into the
fish which express fluorescent proteins. By positioning the
fluorescent gene under the control of a specific promoter, the
fluorescent protein genes may be used to express the fluorescent
proteins in specific tissues, such as in skin tissue, muscle tissue
or bone tissue. Gong et al. disclose fish containing numerous
different fluorescent proteins, including green fluorescent protein
(GFP), enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), yellow
fluorescent protein (YFP), enhanced yellow fluorescent protein
(eYFP), blue fluorescent protein (BFP), enhanced blue fluorescent
protein (eBFP), cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and enhanced cyan
fluorescent protein (eCFP). There are also various colors of coral
fluorescent proteins (available from Clontech, Inc.) which are
suitable for creating transgenic ornamental fish. A summary of
fluorescent protein genes is available on Table 1.
[0006] An aquarium for displaying fluorescent fish is described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/627,176, filed Jul. 25, 2003,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0007] All patents and patent applications referenced in this
application are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The aquarium and aquarium kit of the present invention is
directed to enhancing the display of fluorescent ornamental plants,
animals or other animate or inanimate objects ("fluorescent
objects") contained within the aquarium, such as wild-type
fluorescent fish and transgenic fluorescent fish, under various
ambient lighting conditions. The aquarium comprises a tank for
containing a volume of water, at least two different light sources,
and at least one control for controlling the operation of the light
sources.
[0009] A first light source of the aquarium is configured to emit
light at a first wavelength which enhances the display of the
fluorescent objects under dark external lighting conditions. For
instance, in a dimly lit or dark room, such as at night, the
ambient light within the tank will be lit very little from the
external light, and most of the light within the tank will emanate
from the aquarium's light source(s). Under dark external lighting
conditions, the display of the fluorescent objects will be enhanced
by a first light source which causes the fluorescent objects to
fluoresce, but which otherwise creates minimal visible ambient
light within the tank. As an example, a black light emits
ultra-violet light which is mostly outside the visible spectrum,
but which causes many fluorescent materials to fluoresce. The
result is that the fluorescent objects stand out brightly amidst
the mostly dark ambient visible light within the tank, thereby
enhancing the display of the fluorescent objects.
[0010] The aquarium further comprises a second light source
configured to emit light at a second wavelength which enhances the
display of the fluorescent objects under bright external lighting
conditions. In daylight, or in a brightly lit room, the external
lighting will create significant light within the tank.
Accordingly, the ambient light within the tank will be relatively
bright regardless whether the aquarium light source(s) provide any
light within the tank. Thus, the amount of visible light provided
within the tank by the aquarium light sources is mostly
insignificant, as compared to the light created by the bright
external lighting condition. In this situation, the display of the
fluorescent objects is best enhanced by maximizing the intensity of
the fluorescent excitation light source. Since a black light has a
relatively low intensity (because most of the visible light is
filtered out), a blue light or even a white light best enhances the
display of the fluorescent objects under bright external lighting
conditions.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, a viewing ratio
is defined as the ratio of the intensity of the visible fluorescent
light emitted by the fluorescent objects to the intensity of the
visible ambient light within the tank. Thus, in another feature of
the present invention, the first light source is configured to emit
light at a first wavelength spectrum selected to obtain a viewing
ratio under a dark external lighting condition of at least 75% of
the highest possible viewing ratio for any achievable wavelength
spectrum (also defined herein as the "percentage of the maximum
viewing ratio"). For example, a laser light source emitting at the
maximum excitation wavelength of the fluorescent object and which
emits substantially no visible light, would provide for the highest
possible viewing ratio. Similarly, the second light source may be
configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum selected
to obtain a viewing ratio of at least 75% of the maximum viewing
ratio under a bright external lighting condition. Alternatively,
the first and second light sources may provide for a viewing ratio
of at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum
viewing ratio for the respective external lighting condition.
[0012] The control for the light sources may a simple on/off switch
for each light source, or one multi-positional switch that controls
all light sources. Alternatively, the control may comprise a light
sensor and the control may be configured to automatically,
selectively control the light sources based at least in part on the
lighting condition sensed by the light sensor. Another alternative
would be to control the lighting source(s) through use of a timer,
which would be set based on clock time (i.e. relative time), or a
pre-determined number of hours for any particular setting. For
example, without limitation a black light may stay on for exactly
four hours, at which time a white light may come on, or a black
light may stay on from 8 pm until 6 am, at which point a white
light might come on. It should be understood that a timing device
may control any light source(s) in a similar fashion.
[0013] In another feature of the present invention, the light
source(s) may comprise an array of lights, such as an array of LED
(light emitting diode) lights. Each array may be configured to
primarily emit light of a certain desired wavelength spectrum. For
example, one array of LEDs may emit blue light, while another array
of LEDs emits ultraviolet light.
[0014] The ornamental fish may be a transgenic fish comprising one
or more chimeric fluorescence genes which expresses one or more
fluorescent proteins at a level sufficient such that the fish
fluoresces upon exposure to the excitation light source.
[0015] In addition, the aquarium kit may comprise an ornamental
fish which expresses one or more fluorescent protein genes at a
level sufficient such that said fish fluoresces upon exposure to
the excitation light source. The ornamental transgenic fish may
comprise one or more fluorescent protein genes, including for
example, without limitation, the following genes: GFP, eGFP, BFP,
eBFP, YFP, eYFP, CFP, eCFP, reef coral fluorescent protein
("RCFP"), or any of the genes that code for expression of the
fluorescent proteins listed in Table 1. It should be understood
that each foregoing abbreviation identifies a fluorescent protein
gene, which encodes a fluorescent protein. For example, "GFP" is
used to identify the Green Fluorescent Protein Gene, which encodes
green fluorescent protein. The fish may also comprise
bio-luminescent proteins such as luciferase, where such
bio-luminescent proteins would cause the fish to bio-luminesce. The
ornamental transgenic fish may be any variety of aquatic animal,
including without limitation, zebrafish, medaka, goldfish, carp,
koi, tilapia, glassfish, catfish, angel fish, discus, eel, tetra,
goby, gourami, guppy, Xiphophorus, hatchet fish, Molly fish, or
pangasius. The kit may also comprise a fluorescent ornamental
organism other than a fish, for example, including without
limitation, fluorescent frogs, crabs, and shrimp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an aquarium kit in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a chart of the excitation spectra and emission
spectra for various fluorescent protein genes.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an aquarium kit in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein like numerals refer
to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the
description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in
any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being
utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain
specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of
the invention may include several novel features, no single one of
which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which
is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an aquarium 10 according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The
aquarium 10 is specially designed with adjustable lighting in order
to enhance the display of fluorescent objects contained within the
aquarium. The fluorescent objects may be fluorescent plants or
fluorescent animals such as fluorescent fish, or fluorescent
frogs.
[0021] The aquarium 10 comprises a tank 12, a water conditioning
system 14, a cover 16 and a base 27. The water conditioning system
14 comprises an aeration pump 21 which is connected to a
filter/diffuser 25 by an air line tube 23. The aquarium 10 is
assembled by placing the filter/diffuser into the tank and affixing
it to the side of the tank. The cover 16 is then placed onto the
top of the tank 12 with the air line tube 23 extending through a
slot 31 in the cover 16. The base 27 has a storage drawer 39 for
storing fish food and other supplies, such as water
conditioner.
[0022] The cover 16 has appropriately sized opening which allows
the light to directly hit the water without being reflected by the
cover. A lighting module 19 is attached to the aquarium 10 using a
bracket 35 which attaches to the aquarium base 27. The housing 33
may be designed to cover all or just a portion of the open top of
the tank 12. Although the lighting module 19 in the embodiment of
FIG. 1 is shown mounted to the base 27 through a bracket 35, it is
contemplated that the lighting module 19 may be attached to any
part of the tank 12, including the walls of the tank 12, the top
edge of the tank 12, the cover 16, or even inside the tank 12 as
part of a curio 22 (see FIG. 3; for example, a translucent or
transparent rock with an excitation light inside).
[0023] The lighting module 19 comprises three light sources, namely
a first light source 32, a second light source 34, and a third
light source 36. It is to be understood that any number of multiple
light sources may be utilized, including four, five, six or more
light sources. Each light source 32, 34, 36 comprises a circular
array of eight LED lights, with each array located at a different
radius of the lighting module 19. The first light source 32 is
located at the outer radius, the second light source 34 is in the
middle, and the third light source 36 is in the inner radius. Each
light source 32, 34, 36 is operably connected to an electronic
control 38. The electronic control 38 comprises three switches 41
for controlling each of the three light sources 32, 34, 36.
[0024] The electronic control 38 may be as simple as an on/off
toggle switch for each light source as shown in FIG. 1.
Alternatively, the electronic control 38 may comprise a single
multi-position switch (such as a rotating switch) such that each
position of the switch turns on/off different light sources. For
example, a first position of the toggle switch may turn on the
first light source 32, but turn off both the second and third light
sources 34, 36. In a second position, the toggle switch may turn
off the first light source 32, turn on the second light source 34,
and turn off the third light source 36, and so on. The toggle
switch may also be configured to turn on any one of the light
sources, or any combination of two or more of the light
sources.
[0025] In another feature of the present invention, the electronic
control 38 may comprise a light sensor (not shown). The light
sensor is configured to detect the intensity of the external
lighting conditions, for example, a dark external lighting
condition, a moderate external lighting condition or a bright
external lighting condition. The electronic control 38 may then
comprise an electronic circuit and components, as would be
understood by one of skill in the art, to automatically,
selectively control the light sources 32, 34, 36 based on the
external lighting condition detected by the light sensor to enhance
the display of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10, as
described in further detail below. For example, the electronic
control 38 may comprise a processor or other logic control, which
receives an input signal from the light sensor, such as a voltage
or current. The voltage or current can be related to the light
intensity sensed by the light sensor. Based on this input, the
control 38 selectively controls the light sources 32, 34, 36.
[0026] In another feature of the present invention, the electronic
control 38 may comprise a timer that allows for the light source(s)
to be turned on and off based on pre-determined chronological
settings. For example, without limitation, a black light may stay
on for exactly four hours, at which time the white light may come
on, or a black light may stay on from 8 pm until 6 am (setting
based on relative time), at which point a white light might come
on. It should be understood that a timing device may control any
light source(s) in a similar fashion.
[0027] The first, second and third light sources 32, 24, 36 are
specifically configured to emit light at wavelength spectra
selected to enhance the display of fluorescent objects within the
aquarium 10 under various external lighting conditions. Fluorescent
materials fluoresce upon exposure to excitation light over a range
(spectrum) of excitation wavelengths and similarly emit light over
a spectrum of wavelengths. The excitation spectra and emission
spectra for various fluorescent proteins are shown in FIG. 2. Table
1 below lists the maximum excitation and emission wavelengths for
various fluorescent proteins.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Maximum Excitation and Emission Wavelengths
for Fluorescent Proteins ("FP") Excitation Emission FP max (nm) max
(nm) AmCyan1 458 489 ZsGreen1 493 505 ZsYellow1 529 539 DsRed2 563
582 DsRed-Express 557 579 AsRed2 576 592 HcRed1 588 618 mPlum 590
649 mCherry 587 610 tdTomato 554 581 mStrawberry 574 596 J-Red 584
610 DsRed-monomer 556 586 mOrange 548 562 mKO 548 559 MCitrine 516
529 Venus 515 528 Ypet 517 530 EYFP 514 527 Emerald 487 509 EGFP
488 507 CyPet 435 477 mCFPm 433 475 Cerulean 433 475 T-Sapphire 399
511
[0028] Referring to Table 1 and FIG. 2, it can be seen that DsRed2
has a maximum excitation at a wavelength of 563 nm. This means that
an excitation light that emits a high intensity of light at 563 nm
will optimally cause this particular fluorescent protein to
fluoresce. Therefore, because the wavelength at which DsRed2 has a
maximum excitation is also in the visible range of light, the
excitation light will be visible as well as the emitted fluorescent
light thereby reducing the relative brightness of the emitted
light. Generally, this will not be optimal for viewing these
fluorescent fish, particularly under dark external lighting
conditions. A chart of visible light is shown in Table 2 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Chart of Colors of Visible Light Colors of
Visible Light WAVELENGTH (nm) PERCEIVED COLOR ~410 Violet ~440 Blue
~500 Green ~580 Yellow ~650 Red
[0029] External light conditions can be quantified in terms of the
light level or "illuminance" surrounding the aquarium. Illumenance
is typically measured in foot candles (ftcd, fc) or lux in the
metric SI system. A foot candle is actually one lumen of light
density per square foot, one lux is one lumen per square meter.
Some common, approximate, light levels for various indoor and
outdoor conditions are listed in Table 3 below:
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Common Light Levels - Indoors and Outdoors
Condition Illumination (lux) Full Daylight 10,000 Overcast Day 1000
Lighted Home >150 Lighted Office 500 Dark Indoor Room <50
Moderately Lit Room 100-150
[0030] With these concepts in mind, each of the lights sources 32,
34, 36 may be configured to emit light at a desired wavelength
spectra selected to enhance the display of fluorescent objects
within the aquarium 10 under various external lighting conditions.
For example, the three light sources may be configured to enhance
the display under the following three external lighting conditions:
(a) a dark external lighting condition (defined herein to mean less
than 50 lux); (b) a moderate external lighting condition (defined
herein to mean 50-200 lux); or (c) a bright external lighting
condition (defined herein to mean greater than 200 lux). This may
entail configuring each light source 32, 34, 36 to individually be
lighted for a particular lighting condition, or a combination of
two or more of the light sources 32, 34, 36 for a particular
lighting condition. An example of dark external lighting condition
would be a dimly lit or dark room, such as at night. An example of
a moderate external lighting condition would include a room having
enough functional light to read or watch TV, but less than
daylight, and an example of a bright external lighting condition
would be a room brightly lit from daylight or other light
sources.
[0031] For instance, the lighting module 19 may be configured to
use only the first light source 32 under dark external lighting
conditions, only the second light source 34 under moderate external
lighting conditions, and only the third light source 36 under
bright external lighting conditions. In this example then, the
first light source 32 is configured to emit light at a first
wavelength spectrum (with a maximum peak emission wavelength
different from the maximum peak emission wavelengths of both the
second and third wavelength spectra) which causes the fluorescent
object within the aquarium 10 to fluoresce brightly, but which
otherwise creates minimal visible ambient light within the tank 12.
A light which emits an excitation wavelength of the fluorescent
material, but that is mostly out of the visible spectrum
ultraviolet light is a proper choice. The first light source 32 may
be a black light which emits mostly ultra-violet light which is
mostly outside the visible spectrum, but which also will cause many
fluorescent materials to fluoresce. For purposes of this
application, the ultra-violet range is defined as light having a
wavelength shorter than 410 nm. In the terms of the viewing ratio
as defined above, the first light source 32 is configured to emit
light at a first wavelength spectrum which obtains a viewing ratio
under a dark external lighting condition of at least 75%, or at
least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum viewing
ratio.
[0032] Continuing with this example, with a moderate external
lighting condition in mind, the second light source 34 is
configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum (with a
maximum peak emission wavelength different from the maximum peak
emission wavelengths of both the first and third wavelength
spectra) which causes the fluorescent object within the aquarium 10
to fluoresce brightly, and it is less important whether it
otherwise creates visible ambient light within the tank 12. Thus,
the second light source 34 may have a higher intensity near an
excitation wavelength peak for the fluorescent object, even if that
peak is in the visible range. An appropriate choice for the second
light source 34 may be a light which emits mostly blue light, a
higher intensity light in the excitation wavelength range of many
fluorescent materials. As used herein, the blue light range is
considered to be light having a wavelength of about 460 nm-480 nm.
In the terms of the viewing ratio, the second light source 34 is
configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum which
obtains a viewing ratio under a moderate external lighting
condition of at least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at
least 25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.
[0033] Finally, with a bright external lighting condition in mind,
the third light source 36 is configured to emit light at a third
wavelength spectrum (with a maximum peak emission wavelength
different from the maximum peak emission wavelength of both the
first and second wavelength spectra) which causes the fluorescent
object within the aquarium 10 to fluoresce brightly, and it is even
less important whether it otherwise creates visible ambient light
within the tank 12. The third light source 34 must have a high
intensity at or near an excitation wavelength peak for the
fluorescent object, even if that peak is in the visible range.
Because it is mostly unimportant whether the third light source 36
emits visible light (because there is already bright ambient
light), a light with a very high intensity at or near an excitation
wavelength peak is required. An appropriate choice for the third
light source 36 may be a light which emits mostly white light. In
terms of the viewing ratio, the third light source 34 is configured
to emit light at a third wavelength spectrum which obtains a
viewing ratio under a bright external lighting condition of at
least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of
the maximum viewing ratio.
[0034] The operation of the light sources 32, 34, 36 is controlled
by the electronic control 38, as described above. In this specific
example, the control 38 is configured with three individual toggle
switches 44 to turn on/off each individual light source 32, 34 or
36, while the other light sources are left off. If a light sensor
and automatic electronic control 38 are utilized, the control 38
turns on one of the three light sources 32, 34, or 36 depending on
the external lighting condition detected by the light sensor.
[0035] The appropriate configuration of the light sources 32, 34,
36 may be chosen by knowing the excitation and emission spectrum of
the particular fluorescent object(s) to be displayed in the
aquarium 10, the particular external lighting condition, and by
making reference to the visible light spectrum.
[0036] The light sources 32, 34, 36 may be any suitable type of
light source, including without limitation, LED, incandescent
light, fluorescent light, laser, xenon lamps, or a combination
thereof. The lights may include filters in order to modify the
wavelength spectra of the light source. Moreover, the light sources
32, 34 36, may be an array of individual lights, such as the arrays
as shown in FIG. 1. The control 38 may be activated in any number
of ways, including a manual switch, a push-button toggle, an
infra-red remote, a radio frequency remote, an internal or external
motion sensor, or a chemical or thermal activator. The control 38
may also cause to the light sources 32, 34, 36 to operate in a
variety of modes such as fading and transition modes, timer modes
or light sensing modes.
[0037] In order to enhance the appearance of the transgenic
fluorescent fish, the aquarium 10 may further comprise light
filters in or on the tank to block light outside the wavelength of
the emission spectra of the particular fluorescent proteins in the
transgenic fluorescent fish. The appearance of the fluorescent fish
could also be enhanced using mirrors, one-way films, wavelength
specific or polarizing films, specially angled walls of the tank or
the use of special materials within the tank such as reflective
mica rocks or such.
[0038] The tank 12 may have physical separators to maintain certain
fish in different areas of the tank 12 that are lit by the
different light sources 26.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 3, an aquarium kit 50 may comprise the
aquarium 10 described above, in addition to various ornamental
features such as gravel 18, plants 20 and curios 22. The gravel 18,
plants 20 and curios 22 may also be fluorescent to augment the
appearance of the aquarium kit 50. For example, the plants 20 may
be transgenic or other specialty plants which are fluorescent. The
curios 22 can be small items such as a miniature treasure chest,
marbles, artificial or actual marine objects like coral, rocks or
sticks.
[0040] The aquarium kit 50 may also include the transgenic
fluorescent ornamental fish 40 as shown in FIG. 3. Transgenic
fluorescent ornamental fish and the method of producing them are
described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,613 (which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), and therefore
only a general description will be included herein. Generally, a
transgenic fluorescent ornamental fish is produced by inserting a
foreign gene which codes for a fluorescent protein into the genome
of the host fish. Typically, the fluorescent gene is operatively
linked to either an endogenous or exogenous promoter in the fish
such that activation of the promoter causes expression of the
fluorescent protein coded by the fluorescent gene. A chimeric
fluorescent gene construct comprises a promoter operatively linked
to a heterologous gene. For example, a chimeric fluorescent gene
construct can comprise a promoter of a zebrafish operatively linked
to a GFP gene or other fluorescent protein gene.
[0041] A stable transgenic ornamental fish line may be obtained by
producing an ornamental transgenic fish comprising one or more
chimeric fluorescence genes positioned under the control of a
promoter such that the fish expresses one or more fluorescent
proteins encoded by the fluorescence genes at a level sufficient
that the fish fluoresces upon exposure to an excitation light
source. The transgenic fish is then bred with a second fish to
obtain offspring. Finally, a stable transgenic fish line that
expresses the fluorescent proteins is selected from the offspring.
The stable transgenic fish line may then be used to breed large
numbers of ornamental fluorescent transgenic fish.
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